Cork man jailed for hammer attack on another man has sentence suspended on appeal

Attack happened outside busy shop in Farranree and assailant and injured party are 'back on friendly terms', court told

Accused was ordered to pay €400 to the victim of the crime. Picture: Larry Cummins

The victim of a hammer attack carried out in daylight had to run into a shop for safety and now the assailant has had a four-month jail term suspended on appeal.

Jason Ring, of 60 Bride Valley View, Upper Fairhill, Cork, was sentenced to that jail term but this was appealed by barrister Jessica Kelleher at Cork Circuit Appeals Court. Judge Sinéad Behan said she would suspend the sentence.

Sergeant John Kelleher said: “On December 2, 2022, Gardaí Rory Fogarty and Killian O’Connell were on patrol and they observed two men, including Jason Ring. They were standing next to a parked car and a hammer was thrown over a garden wall. Garda Fogarty attempted to converse with them but they were agitated and aggressive.

“Five minutes later, there was a call to Knockpogue Avenue, Farranree. The injured party declined to make a complaint but he did show gardaí marks on his body from the attack.

“CCTV showed it happened outside Fairfield Stores in the heart of Farranree. It is usually a hive of activity during the day. CCTV shows he [the victim] is standing outside Fairfield Tavern when a Volkswagen Golf pulls up and waits a few minutes.

“Jason Ring got out, there was a verbal altercation. Jason Ring went back to the car. The injured party went to the shop. Mr Ring approached and struck him a number of times with a handheld object.” 

He said the injured party ran into the shop for safety.

Jason Ring pleaded guilty to a charge of producing a hammer to intimidate.

Ms Kelleher said on behalf of the 35-year-old: “There was no formal complaint by the injured party so the plea of guilty was of assistance.” 

Sgt Kelleher agreed but said the incident was covered by CCTV.

Ms Kelleher said the appellant was addicted to unprescribed tablets and cocaine.

“He gave a very honest account of what happened. He is now back on friendly terms with the injured party. He has good insight into the fear that the victim would have felt,” the barrister said.

As well as suspending the sentence, Judge Behan directed the accused man to pay €400 through An Garda Síochána to the victim of the crime.